Tuesday, December 22, 2009

'Tis the season! Of cookies and fudge and peanut brittle and carry-ins at work! Of unwanted pounds and time off from a normal schedule, whereby for the most part people skip their workouts as well!! Then come January, everyone is moaning about the extra pounds and being out of shape... sound familiar? I know that I am cursing not only the biggest eating holiday of the year, but my sedentary fall that together have graced my body with yet an extra 10 pounds that will take A LOT of effort to work off! I am currently in the middle of a three week dream job- working the front desk at the fitness center in the Cox Ohio building as the Holiday "Go-To" temp. Heck of a title, but for a three week gig, I don't really get an official title. I am grateful to my friend Kate for thinking of me to fill in for her- she got a great promotion!- in the time between her leaving and her replacement starting. I am learning a lot about corporate fitness and what goes on day-to-day. I have taught a Zumba class here for awhile now, so lots of familiar faces, but now I know what time and days they come in to work out, what equipment they use, and some I have even learned their names! ;) Seriously, I am enjoying my time here and will be disappointed to have it come to an end after next week... I was hoping that since I am in such close proximity to all this workout equipment that I would somehow lose some extra weight, but crazy enough, nothing has happened! Guess I have to actually get on the equipment and SWEAT in order for that to happen... Note to self! lol All kidding aside, I will be happy to return to school and a very hectic schedule. Not having a piece of chocolate or mint shoved at me every time I turn around will help too... although now that I have a wonderful recipe for home-made Thin Mints, I don't know that life will ever be quite the same again... ;) I hope that in this season of family time and gifts and giving that each of you remember to give an important present to yourself: to make time for yourself over the next week and a half. Whether it is getting in all your normal workouts, or just making sure you take some time to sit and relax and enjoy your surroundings. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday! Until next time...

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Wow, it is great to be back... so much has happened since I utilized this blog, a lot of major happenings; some good, some bad. A little background catch up information on what has been "going on" with me is in order, I think. :) Last summer, I was dealing with even more stress than normal. My maternal grandfather and paternal grandmother were both in the hospital, I had just begun working at a daycare and they were short staffed, so I was working 12 hour days more often than not. My daughter was heading off to spend 6 weeks with her father and there were a few other things that were going on that I won't go into here... just trust it was a lot for anyone to try and handle, even someone used to a lot of stress! Because of everything going on, I had to take a leave of absence from the studio. I hated to do it, but knew that to function something had to go. There was very little to choose from to let go! After quitting teaching, things started to level off for me, thank goodness. Grandparents went home, shorter workdays at the daycare.I did realize, in my insane summer, that I needed to make a permanent change in my life. Do something that would be able to positively affect my future. SO, I took the plunge and returned to school. Little did I know what would happen-- that I would absolutely LOVE being back in school- and that I would do VERY well!! :D Proud to report that fall quarter GPA was a 3.8... one B ~ in History, go figure. But at least all my physical education classes were A's. Plus I found out that since I have so many of my general education classes done, I will be able to graduate in June!! I will receive my Associate of Arts in Physical Education with an Exercise Science emphasis and an Exercise Specialist Certificate. Then I am excited to be able to go on to University of Dayton to finish up my Bachelor's Degree in Exercise Science. Considering physical therapy school after that, pediatric focus. But I will not pass up the perfect job if it comes along before PT school! ;) Unfortunately during fall quarter, I lost my grandfather. I am happy that he is at peace, but mourn his loss and worry about my grandmother, who is learning to live without the man she was married to for 68 years. *sigh*And now I am looking at the end of 2009 thankful for the year, but happy to see it end. There was so much loss and heartache and pain, I just know that 2010 is going to be great!! So now to the point of this post... ;) Zumba Plus is BACK at StudioZumba! Starting Saturday, January 16, for 5 weeks @ 11:00am, I will be running a session of the new and improved Zumba Plus! I have completely redesigned the program and I am VERY excited about how this new program can work to not only help people jump start their workout program, but to help with motivation and commitment to their new lifestyle! Please check out the website: www.studiozumbaohio.com and at the very bottom of the page you will see the link: Zumba Plus with Gina. Click and read about the new program!And as far as my own weight loss journey goes... well, suffice it to say that I did not fare well over the summer and fall. Not only did the stress get me, but also the lack of a hectic teaching schedule. And not making time for my own workouts. That is changing now, not only with my added classes I will be teaching, but I will also be taking three classes this quarter that will force me to be more active: Nia- which I am really excited about and will definitely share details with you all!, Intro to Weight Training and Principles of Teaching Weight Training. YAY for strength training!! lol well, until next time--

"Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."~ Henry David Thoreau

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

I came across this and I think these words are wonderful. Not sure who the initial source is, but still great stuff!:

There are moments in your life that make you and sets the course of who you're going to be. Sometimes they're little, subtle moments. Sometimes they're big moments you never saw coming. No one asks for their life to change, but it does. It's what you do afterwards that counts. That's when you find out who you are.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

I realized a lot of things this past week... Turning 35 doesn't give you this magical power to suddenly have control over time and getting things done like I thought it would. ;) Seriously, in the back of my mind I thought that at some point everything would fall into place, just because it should. Then I really started to think about that whole theory- and came to some startling conclusions. I realized that for a long time my life has controlled me... to the extreme. I know now why I haven't been successful at losing weight- I am so "busy" doing so many things that I am doing nothing well. Well, that is probably being overly dramatic... but I think- nope, I KNOW that I could do so much better than what I am doing now-- at everything. From keeping a schedule- to organizing my garage (gee, can you tell what I have been putting off?)- to being able to give more of myself to my family. In trying to find a solution, I think it is really about prioritizing. I mean, I find time to play plenty of games on Webkinz (whoever came up with that whole concept is a genius, but that is for another blog!) or to IM with friends late into the night, but I can't seem to find time for so many other things that are truly important in my work life- or my family life. hmmmmmmm I think this is something that I really need to ponder further on my own.

Wow-- that was some deep inner exploration there. I realize now that a weight loss journey is so much more than eating right and getting enough exercise. You have to find out why in the world you got that way in the first place! Deal with it, then you can conquer the rest!!! And no more excuses! Losing weight needs to become a priority for us overweight people---I hear lots of reasons why people can't come to class or can't commit to a program. Work, school, family, home. Of course all of these things are important, I am not hinting otherwise. But to the people who struggle with this issue-- don't you think that each part of your life would improve if you were healthier and happier? Think about it... you work out a schedule (there is that s-word again!) where you can have time for YOU. I think everyone is happier when they schedule "ME" time. Whether it is for a workout or a massage... it is caring enough about YOURSELF to take care of you. Because if you can't take care of you-- how can you expect to take care of everything else?

Lots of deep thoughts tonight... I wish I had answers and the perfect solution for everyone. I know part of the answer for me is Zumba! :) I know it can be part of yours too!

zumba plus blog

About Me

Zumba has been a natural progression for Gina. She began dancing at an early age, then switched gears to instrumental music as she grew older, playing several musical instruments including piano, flute and bassoon. She transitioned into colorguard and winterguard during high school and was a member of West Virginia University's colorguard in 1992. Gina went on to instruct and choreograph for a number of local high school colorguards.
Gina randomly selected Zumba from an aerobics class listing in July of 2005 and that class changed her life. She rarely missed a class and went on to complete a basic workshop in February of 2006. She began teaching the day after receiving her certificate and since then has completed the Advanced and Zumba Gold workshops and became AFAA certified in September of 2007.
Gina made the decision to take her training to the next level and returned to college to pursue a degree in Exercise Science. She will graduate in June from Sinclair Community College receiving both an Associate of Arts in Physical Education and an Exercise Specialist Certificate.